refugee:
A person who flees his or her homeland because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of race, religion, political belief, ethnicity, or belonging to a certain social group.
Our Programs
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Welcoming Services
Welcoming Services provides newly arriving refugees with tools that help them adapt quickly to American life and culture. With decades of experience, our Welcoming Services team, many of whom are former refugees themselves, know how to help refugee families overcome barriers to success. These key services prepare those who recently arrived with navigating new and often complex institutions such as benefits navigation, housing support, health screening, interpretation services, and support with registering children in school.
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been indefinitely suspended. Although New AP has not welcomed new refugee arrivals since January 24, 2025, we continue to assist refugees and immigrants already living in metro Atlanta communities.
Contact Welcoming Services regarding services currently being offered or for a referral to another program department.
Support for Parents, Children, and School
Support for Parents, Children, and School- this program provides comprehensive support for refugee families through early childhood home visiting, after-school and summer programs, and dedicated parent liaison services. These efforts help children succeed in school while empowering parents to actively engage in their child’s education. The program also offers education service navigation, crisis intervention and holistic strengthening tools to support family stability and well-being from early childhood through high school.
Bright Futures After School Program:
The Bright Futures Afterschool Program at New American Pathways supports about 180 refugee and immigrant students in DeKalb County across elementary, middle, and high schools. The program offers academic support including tutoring, homework help, and interactive learning in core subjects, along with enrichment activities like STEM, arts, and recreation. It also focuses on social-emotional learning and English language development.
Parents as Teachers (PAT):
The Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program at New American Pathways is a nationally accredited, evidence-based home visiting program supporting families from prenatal to age five. Certified educators deliver visits in the family’s native language, focusing on child development, parent-child interaction, and family well-being. The program includes developmental screenings, monthly group connections, SMART goal setting, and referrals to community resources. PAT helps parents build confidence, prepare children for school, and access early intervention services when needed.
Economic Inclusion + Workforce Development
Economic Inclusion & Workforce Development- focuses on empowering refugees for successful integration within both their communities and the workforce. It provides job placement assistance, job skill training, work-based ESL, asset building and financial literacy education to address unique employment challenges faced by refugees, such as language barriers and foreign qualification recognition.
The department collaborates with local businesses to create suitable and sustainable job opportunities, fostering economic independence and contributing to the overall success of refugee resettlement efforts. Through targeted initiatives, the department aims to empower refugees to rebuild their lives and become valuable contributors to their new communities.
Individual Development Account (IDA) Program:
The IDA Program at New American Pathways helps refugees build long-term economic independence and community resilience. Participants receive basic, advanced and specialized financial literacy training tailored to their savings goals. Through matched savings, clients can work toward assets such as a vehicle, home, rental support, or education-related expenses. To participate, clients must be employed, make regular deposits into an approved savings account, and attend all required trainings. The program promotes financial stability, encourages regular saving, and supports personal and community growth.
Employer Engagement Program (EEP):
The Employer Engagement Program (EEP) partners with local employers and community partners to support the success of refugee employees and build inclusive workplaces. EEP helps employers create career advancement pathways through implementing on-site learning, in-depth skills training, and connection to the Job Ready English program that provides work-based ESL training. The program also supports mentorship, recertification assistance, tailored/individualized training, and access to a diverse talent pool. By participating, employers foster innovation, promote inclusion, and make a meaningful impact on community economic empowerment.
To learn more about Job Ready English volunteer opportunities, please fill out this form.
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE):
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Program provides refugee and immigrant women with education and support to build financial stability, economic empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing courses, one on one coaching, and support programs, participants can cultivate financial literacy knowledge, job readiness, resume building, and develop goal-setting skills. There are opportunities to build credit and achieve career growth, and match-saving financial programs that can fund childcare, education, and home and/or car ownership, fostering overall prosperity and empowerment.
contact the Economic Inclusion + Workforce Development Program
Please fill out the form below.
Health & Wellbeing
The Health and Wellbeing program provides extra support for individuals who need help navigating healthcare and benefits systems. It connects new Americans to vital services, including medical and healthcare navigation, ongoing health support, benefits applications and education, safety and life skills workshops, and home and community resource referrals. Through case management and education, the program promotes overall well-being and supports successful adjustment.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):
New American Pathways (New AP) is committed to helping refugee and immigrant communities access the food assistance they need through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides monthly benefits via an EBT card to help low-income individuals and families buy healthy food at participating stores and farmers markets.
Through culturally relevant outreach materials and multilingual support, New AP increases awareness about SNAP eligibility, the application and renewal process, and available assistance. Our goal is to ensure that every household especially those living below the federal poverty level—can access the resources they need to achieve food security and improve their well-being.
Look for outreach events and programs in your community and let us help you understand your eligibility and guide you through the SNAP process.
Contact the health & wellbeing program
ALIVE (Advocacy, Leadership, Immigration, Voter Engagement)
A.L.I.V.E. (Advocacy, Leadership, Immigration, & Voter Engagement) – is a program designed to empower new Americans by providing the tools and resources needed to become active, informed members of their communities, while also supporting them on their path to citizenship and beyond. The program provides legal services, advocacy, leadership development, and civic engagement opportunities, fostering civic engagement by offering chances to build leadership skills, participate in community advocacy, and develop a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Through A.L.I.V.E., new Americans are encouraged to actively shape their communities, advocate for change, and become leaders who make a lasting impact.
advocacy
In collaboration with our partners in the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA), our national partners at CWS, and other immigrant rights advocacy organizations, we advocate for more welcoming policies at both the federal and state levels of government. We also promote community organizing efforts to connect refugees and new Americans to opportunities to share their stories with legislators and advocate on behalf of themselves and their communities.
Leadership (Civic Pathways):
Civic Pathways is an 8-month leadership program for emerging New American leaders, focused on civic engagement and community organizing. Participants attend monthly sessions to build leadership skills, explore advocacy and activism, understand government and policy, and connect with peers and community leaders. Graduates are equipped to lead ongoing civic efforts and drive positive change in their communities.
Immigration:
The New American Pathways immigration team provides immigration consultations, advice, form filling, and representation before USCIS and the Immigration Court system. Our program is licensed through the Department of Justice, and we have three partially accredited staff and one fully accredited representative on staff. The department can assist with green cards (including removal of conditions), work permits, naturalization, family reunification, document correction and renewal, consular processing, asylum, and certificates of citizenship.
voter engagement
Through our coalition work with other partners who are committed to increasing voter engagement throughout the state, we register new citizens to vote at naturalization ceremonies at USCIS offices and federal courthouses. In 2024, our coalition registered 12,000 new Americans to vote.
Meaningful civic engagement starts with connecting new Americans to foundational concepts around government and elements of how it operates. We conduct workshops in refugee and immigrant communities on a variety of topics.
Civic Pathways is an 8-month leadership development program created in partnership with the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute of Leadership. A new round of applicants will be selected in early spring of each year and will participate in a series of monthly workshops, discussions, projects, and other activities designed to strengthen their skills as civic leaders in their local communities. Learn more about the program here.